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“Desirable” and “Oconee” are hybrid cultivars of the North American pecan tree (Carya illinoensis) that is native to moist bottom lands in the southeastern United States. “Desirable” is a favorite of commercial growers; the more recently available “Oconee” also yields substantial crops of fancy pecans and has a slightly earlier harvest date. Pecans can be grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9.

Strengths and Weaknesses

“Desirable,” which is possibly a hybrid of “Success” and “Jewett,” is known for consistently producing high-quality nuts and high yields. Pecan trees under stress are subject to bearing nuts alternate years. “Desirable” tends to thin its nut clusters to two or three nuts. That factor lowers the tree's stress, avoiding alternate-year production. “Oconee,” a cross between “Schley” and “Barton,” yields fewer pecans as it matures, and its heavy early yield becomes average. “Oconee” trees may need to be thinned to prevent them from shading one another and reducing yields.

Nut Size

No differences exist in the size of “Desirable” and “Oconee” pecans. Pecan size is measured by the number of nuts in 1 pound; fewer large nuts and more small nuts are in 1 pound. Both “Desirable” and "Oconee" yielded 48 nuts per pound, with 40 to 50 being the ideal amount, in research reported on the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences' website. Both hybrids produce large nuts. By comparison, “Kanza” yielded 74 nuts per pound, and “Elliott” yielded 77 per pound.

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Nut Quality

Both “Desirable” and “Oconee” grow quality pecans. “Desirable” yields large, well-filled nuts that bring a top price. Its nuts are simple to shell, and shelling produces many large halves of kernels. “Oconee” also produces quality nuts; 30 percent of its kernels are rated as “fancy” with a high percentage of intact halves. The Georgia Pecan Commission rates “Desirable” as the best pecan for roasting and salting, having both good flavor and color when roasted.

Disease Pests

Scab fungus (Cladosporium caryigenum), a major issue when growing pecans, invades both the shoots and developing pecans. The fungus can defoliate pecan trees in wet spring weather and can cause developing nuts to fall off the trees. University of Georgia horticulturists rate “Desirable’s resistance to scab as poor and “Oconee’s” resistance as mediocre. Fungicides suppress the growth of scab fungus.

Aphids favor “Oconee,” and infected trees need to be treated to prevent aphids from spreading. Knocking aphids off leaves with water spray or spraying the leaves with insecticidal soaps or oils is recommended by University of California Integrated Pest Management Online.